A Review of Geological Characteristics and Time-Space Distribution of Rare Metal Deposits in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, Xinjiang

This paper reviews the geological characteristics, spatial and temporal-distribution, and tectonic settings of rare metal deposits in the Xinjiang Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The rare metal deposits are predominantly of granitic pegmatite type, followed by granite type, with a small amount of alkaline granite type, alkaline syenite type, alkaline pegmatite type, volcanic hydrothermal type, and skarn type. They are mainly distributed in the Altay, followed by the East Tianshan and Southwest Tianshan. The rare metal mineralization took place during 467 to 151 Ma and the majority of the deposits are formed in the 290 to 180 Ma (Permian to Early Jurassic). In addition, there are differences in the rare metal mineralization time between different regions. The Permian and Triassic to Jurassic mineralization occurred in post-collision and continental environments, respectively, and the regional large-scale extension background is favorable for the large-scale rare metal mineralization. The rare metal deposits in East Tianshan and Southwest Tianshan are closely related to magmatic intrusion. However, most of the rare metal deposits in the Altay (except for Arskartor and Dakalasu, etc) are no genetic relationship with their ore-hosting granites.